The Mars-B project is Shell's sixth GOM TLP development and demonstrates Shell's commitment to GOM. The Mars-B project is aiming to unlock resources over the next 50 years through the deployment of a new 24 slot TLP structure (Olympus TLP) and additional subsea infrastructure for the West Boreas/South Deimos fields. The Olympus DVA rig is a novel platform drilling rig designed specifically to meet the execution requirements of complex Olympus DVA well designs. The well design and associated equipment must accommodate the 50 year design life, the longest design life of a TLP in Shell's history.
This is the first development to incorporate post-Katrina environmental design loads and new regulatory design requirements. Project challenges include numerous technical challenges pertaining to well designs for 24 DVA wells targeting over 50 horizons spanning 10, 500 ft TVD to approximately 25, 000 ft TVD encompassing both highly depleted brown field and deeper virgin pressure formations.
The Olympus DVA well trajectories range from near vertical to high angle extended reach both through sediments and through salt penetrations. Rig and surface facilities must be designed to address multiple challenges present to ensure well and facility integrity, reservoir isolation and desired well construction objectives are met. This requires successful development and deployment of novel technologies and world class systems. The design requirements have resulted in an evolution of traditional well designs which in turn drives novel rig and surface facilities requirements.
A high level overview of the design challenges and the resulting surface equipment requirements will be discussed. This includes rig equipment requirements to meet the specified execution directives, the development of an innovative drilling riser concept, added systems optimization to increase safety and overall execution efficiency.
